The Short Course
The 30 and 45 mile courses are both favorite training rides for local riders. The road is very lightly traveled, and the views are spectacular, especially of the Sierra peaks spread out before you on the return ride.
The 30 and 45 mile courses begin at the Whitmore Ball Fields. The rides head east on Benton Crossing Road, then descend to cross the Owens River after about six miles. This entire area is dotted with natural hot springs and pools - watch for the steam rising from vents on either side of the road. After crossing the river, the road begins a gradual climb along the backside of Crowley Lake. At mile 11, a cattle guard marks the beginning of the serious climbing up Watterson Canyon. You'll reach the summit and a welcome rest stop at mile 15. This is the turnaround for the 30 mile ride, which retraces the first 15 miles back to the finish at Whitmore Pool. Be careful on the downhill - it's a fast four miles from the rest stop back to the cattle guard! The 45 mile ride continues east from the rest area through rolling terrain with a short steep descent into a sheep ranching valley just a couple miles down the road. After you pass Chidago Canyon Road, Benton Crossing Road starts a long, gradual climb up to Wildrose Summit. Just beyond the summit, look for the 45 mile turnaround at a wide turnout on the right at mile 24, just before the road starts another long steep descent. From this point, you will retrace your route back to the finish at Whitmore Ball Fields. Be sure to fill your bottles and eat a little something at the Watterson Summit rest stop on the way back in - after 40 miles, the last couple of short climbs back up to the finish can be tough! Metric Century We also offer a “Metric Century” option. To experience this route, continue east on the Benton Crossing Rd from the Wildrose rest stop to the Black Lake Rest Stop at the junction of Benton Crossing Rd. and SR 120. Just past the Wildrose rest stop there is a steep, winding downhill – be careful on the descent, and remember that what goes down must come back up – you’ll need to climb back up this way to get back to the start/finish, so be prepared! The steep section is relatively short, and is followed by a gentle downgrade all the way to Black Lake. At Black Lake there are sandwich makings and lots of fluid to rehydrate for your climb back up to Wildrose and Watterson Summit.
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